Saussurea costus (Falc.)Lipsch.

Family : Asteraceae

Synonym(s) : Saussurea lappa (Decne.)C.B.Clarke., Aplotaxis lappa Decne., Aucklandia costus Falc.

English Name : Costus

Origin : Probably Kashmir

Description

Perennial sturdy erect herb. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.

Habitat

Usually found in moist shady situations in Kashmir, sometimes forming the undergrowth in birch forests

Parts Used : Root, rhizome and leaf

Herb Effects

Depresses central nervous system (rhizome); anodyne, antibacterial, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, carminative, skin, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge (root).

Active Ingredients

Taraxasterol, beta-amyrin, lupeol, palminates, alpha-amyrin stearate and saussurin (leaf); costic and palmitic acids, dihydrostigmasterol and costunolide (root).

Medicinal Use

In skin diseases, rheumatism and as a fumigant (root oil); cholera, increasing the secretion of gastric juices, asthma, bronchitis, in the treatment of abdominal distension and pain, chest pains due to liver problems and jaundice, gall bladder pain, constipation associated with energy stagnation (root).

Reference

1. Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.
2. Duke, J. A. et al. 2002. CRC Handbook of medicinal herbs.
3. Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India 1994 ISBN 81-900489-0-2.